Rail-joint.



PATENTED AUG. 11, 1903.

W. S. DE WOODY.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26, 1902.

N0- MODEL.

Patented August 11, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILFRED S. DE WOODY, OF FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 735,726, dated August11, 1903.

Application filed September 26, 1902. serial No. 124,885. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat LWILERED S. DE WOODY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Franklin, in the county of Venango and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Rail-Joints,of which improvement the following is a specification.

My invention relates to rail-joints; and its object is to provide animproved form of railjoint which shall be extremely solid and resistingin character. 7

My invention consists of a rail having male and female parts formed onthe ends thereof and adapted to engage with similar parts on theadjoining rails.

In the accompanying drawings like numerals of reference refer to likeparts throughout.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through my device. Fig. 2 is ahorizontal median section therethrough. Fig. 3 is a perspective view oftwo adjoining rail ends as provided with my device.

In the construction of my device the rails 1 are provided with endshaving swelled webs 2. One end of each rail is provided with the tongue3, formed integrally. therewith, on which are the cuniformconical-shaped enlargements 4, extending in an approximately verticaldirection. The opposite end of each rail is provided with a slot 5,extending through the thickened portion of the web and having theenlarged cuniform portions 6. The enlargements 6 are conical-shaped andmade slightly ovate for hereinafter-described purposes. Through thethickened portion of the web are formed holes 7, and similar holesadapted to register therewith are formed in the tongue 3.

In use one end of my device is raised or lowered, so that the tongue 3will come above the slot 5, and the parts are then brought together, theconical-shaped enlargements 4 being placed in the enlargedconical-shaped portions 6 of the slot 5. The holes in the tongue and webare brought to register and bolts are passed therethrough, therebysecuring my joint firmly in position. It will now be seen that by reasonof the slightlyovate formation of the enlargements 6 a slight play isallowed the tongue 3, as is necessary to allow for expansion andcontraction.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the details of mydevice without affecting the principles thereof. I do not,therefore,'desire to confine myself-to the exact form herein shown anddescribed, but desire to include all such as properly come within thescope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

A rail-joint comprising a tongue and groove upon opposite ends, saidtongue being of the depth of the said rail and having thereon aplurality of vertically extending conicalshaped ribs forminguniform-spaced en1argements, and said groove being provided withconical-shaped recesses extending vertically through the same,andadapted to receive the conical-shaped ribs ofthe tongue, said recessesbeing slightly ovate, and means for securing said tongue in the groove.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

WILFRED S. DE WOODY.

In presence of- M. E. HARRISON, JOHN L. THOMPSON.

